DYSPHAGIA
Dysphagia is the inability to chew or swallow normally or to transfer liquid or solids from the oral cavity to the stomach. The term Dysphagia is derived from the Greek words – Dys meaning ‘difficult' and phagein meaning ‘to eat’ Dysphagia is a complex condition occurring in all age groups and for a variety of medical and surgical reasons or simply as a consequence of ageing. Dysphagia may accompany oral cancer, throat tumours, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke, brain injury or other neurological diseases.
Most Dyphagia sufferers require a modified texture diet e.g pureed meals, thickened fluids.
Normal swallow process:
The swallow process involves three stages – oral preparation, pharyngeal transit and oesophageal transit. The oral preparatory phase in entirely voluntary.
Oral preparation
Once food is chewed and moistened with saliva it is pressed against the hard palate to form a bolus. The tongue then moves the bolus to the back of the pharynx.
Pharyngeal transit
In the pharynx the bolus triggers the swallow reflex to carry it through the throat to the sphincter above the oesophagus. As the throat muscles constrict to move the bolus into the oesophagus the larynx closes to prevent food from entering the lungs
Oesophageal transit
Oesophageal peristalsis and gravity together moves the bolus through the oesophageal sphincter and into the stomach.
Dysphagia Management
The aim of Dysphagia management is to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration while ensuring safety during oral feeding. This involves a range of different disciplines including Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians and Catering staff.
For information on our Dysphagia range click on the links below
Products and Literature:
Nestle Clinutren Dysphagia Range
Nestle Clinutren Thickened Drinks
Nestle Clinutren Instant Thickener
Nestle Clinutren Dessert
Clinutren Mix
Clinutren Mix + Fibre
Clinutren Cereal
